RMK to pay EUR 19.6 million in
dividends to the State 04 April 04.04

The Supervisory Board of RMK approved the audited economic results for
2015, according to which turnover reached EUR 165.2 million and profit before
the taxing of dividends was EUR 36.6 million.The Supervisory Board proposed
to pay EUR 19.6 million in the form of dividends into the national budget,
which is one-third more that the year before.

During the
year, turnover increased by 1% while dropping prices on the timber market
deflated profits by 18%. Last year, EUR 14.6 million was paid to the State in
the form of dividends, on which income tax accounted for EUR 3.7 million. In
2015, the profit after the tax on dividends was EUR 32.9 million.

Last year,
RMK sold 3.6 million cubic metres of timber: logs 44%, pulp wood 36%, firewood
16%, and wood chips and cutting waste 4%. The year before, timber sales
amounted to 3.4 cubic metres. The price of timber fell, on the average, by 6%
over the course of the year.

The volumes
of silvicultural works increased slightly in 2015. A total of 19.3 million
trees were planted, i.e., 800,000 more than in 2014. Forest renewal was
maintained on 24,559 hectares; cleaning of young growth, to improve their
habitat conditions, was performed on 19,768 hectares; and thinning in
middle-aged forests was performed on 9339 hectares. Regeneration cutting was
performed on 9678 hectares, accounting for 1% of the state forest land under
the care of RMK.

During the
year, RMK’s recreational and protected areas were visited 2.2 million times,
which is 300,000 more visits than in 2014. “In addition to several renovated
study and hiking trails and observation towers, RMK completed the final section
of the 820 km long trekking route from Peraküla to Aegviidu,” said Aigar Kallas,
Chairman of the Management Board of RMK, listing the year’s major undertakings.
“Also, the extensive works around one of Estonia’s most visited tourist
attractions, Kaali meteorite crater in Saaremaa, were also completed. The works
ensure the improved protection of nature and make it easier for guests to move
around.” Last year RMK contributed EUR 6 million to provide opportunities to
move around in nature and offer educational courses on nature, which is 11%
more than the year before.

RMK spent
EUR 1.7 million on nature conservation works in 2015, i.e., just as much as the
year before. “As far as species are concerned, we paid special attention to
capercaillie, flying squirrel, sand lizard and natterjack toad; extensive
restoration works were completed on the Muraka Nature Reserve.” “We continue to
work hard to restore and maintain semi-natural biotic communities and build
access roads so they can be reached.”

RMK
forecasts the turnover and profit for 2016 to reach EUR 171 million and EUR 37
million euros, respectively.

RMK cares
for one-fourth of Estonia; it is the keeper, protector and manager of the
forest and other natural biotic communities belonging to the Republic of
Estonia. RMK earns a profit for the state through forest management, growing
reforestation material, and organising forest and nature protection works. In
addition, RMK establishes opportunities for nature walking in recreational and
protected areas and shapes nature awareness. RMK consists of the Sagadi Forest
Centre, the Elistvere Animal Park, the Tartu Tree Nursery, AS Eesti Metsataim
and the Põlula Fish Farm. More than 700 people work for RMK; however, the total
number of people employed in the state forest is 5000.